>>18315641 (OP)Royal Rumble 2000 really set the tone for their best year after 97 in terms of quality.
97 is the most compelling television they have ever put with ups and downs and a lot of guys on the top of the card mattering. Midcard didn't matter so you saw the development of gimmicks to make them a bit more interesting.
98 was an Austin year. Culmination of everything from 97 and it went over well because things still made sense up until the end of the year. Rock comes out this year as well. Midcard was well-established at this point and can move on from the comedy and stupid shit because the talent was there, but Russo starts doubling down on it.
'99 though, Russo who completely ran out of ideas after Mania XV and kept at his worst tendencies at this point. Austin was basically aimless because they never bothered to give him an actual opponent after Rock, so he went back to Taker who he faced a million times. Austin was still the most over man in the world, but damn, they really had nothing for him when you watch back. Rock is also basically aimless up until Fall. He just has matches, but he's the second most over guy they have. Looking back, I felt like they should've bought a WCW guy in at this point. The top guys don't really have anything to do but wait on HHH to develop, and I would say RR 2000 is when it finally clicks for him.
But yeah, RR 2000 for me always set the tone of the entire year and how things would be different from 2000. New gimmicks, tag teams like the Hardys and Dudleys being highlighted, HHH finally becoming a huge heel by beating Foley and taking a fucking beating, Rock steps out as the most over guy in the world. Next night, Radicalz debut and shit. It's basically a reset from 99 and you start seeing those gimmicks and guys from 98 get shuffled out.